Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
Saturday, December 2, 2017 12pm-8pm
FREE, pet friendly, and open to the public in rain or shine.

On Saturday, December 2, 2017, the sound of holiday caroling will echo through the city streets of downtown Norfolk emitting from TowneBank Fountain Park. The 4th Annual Yule Log Bonfire and Christmas Market transforms the park into a festive winter wonderland all ages can enjoy. The annual holiday event begins at 12 noon and is free and open to the public.

Giving back to our community has always been a number one priority at Norfolk Festevents. This holiday season, we are raising awareness and inviting guests to help us support Dive Hearts- a group of local divers working to get still much-needed supplies to Puerto Rico.

Making Spirits Bright Bar- The Making Spirits Bright Bar is back by popular demand! Jazz up your hot chocolate with whiskey, enjoy seasonal craft beers and mulled wine, sip on specialty cocktails or partake in our selection of adult cider!

While you’re there, explore our Bourbon Sampling experience; one of our favorite ways to stay warm! Enjoy a variety of bourbons from Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky in a signature drink, flight, or a sample.

Holiday Caroling- Gather around the Bonfire and sing holiday favorites including Jingle Bells and Silent Night. Guests will be given their very own caroling book that they are free to take home. Caroling will begin at 6 pm.

Entertainment- Award-winning local favorite and ukulele extraordinaire, Skye Zentz, and special guests, will perform holiday favorites with a folksy twist. She will take the stage at 6pm.

The big man himself, Santa Claus, will be making his grand entrance via water taxi at 6pm and will be available to meet with the young (and young at heart) until 8pm near the holiday tree.

The Christmas Market- A unique collection of local market goodies will be on site at the Christmas Market. From baked goods to artwork to jewelry to craft beer mugs, you’re sure to find something for the special friends and family members in your life. The market opens at noon.

The Norfolk Homecoming Christmas Tree- The towering 42’ Christmas tree earned its name because of its original location next to the famed Homecoming statue in Town Point Park. This year, its home will be in TowneBank Fountain Park near the bonfire and Christmas Market. The tree will light up the park every evening until January 2, 2018.

The Menorah- For the last 32 years The Chabad of Tidewater has donated the grand 26’ menorah. On December 12, the first night of Chanukah, the first candle will be lit bringing the menorah to life continuing each subsequent night of Chanukah. The menorah will be located near the Spirit of Norfolk in Otter Berth.

Giving Back- The holiday season is a time for giving and helping others! After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Dive Hearts, a group of local Hampton Roads divers, sprang into action and began delivering basic necessities to Puerto Rico. Using their own money to pay for the trips and provide supplies, Dive Hearts has completed 8 trips to Puerto Rico and delivered over 100,000 pounds of food, supplies, and generators. And they have no plans on stopping.

“We won’t stop helping until we run out of money or can no longer make the trip. We’ve delivered medical equipment, food, water, and supplies to help rebuild what was lost. We yearn to go back to help. Even now, it’s a matter of life and death for some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Puerto Rico was devastated but we can help our fellow American citizens by giving them the tools they need to survive and begin to recover what was lost. Dive Hearts created Survival Kits to help take them take those first steps. We have to do everything we can and not give up on or forget about them.”

During the event, Norfolk Festevents will be collecting supplies under the Christmas Tree to benefit Dive Hearts Puerto Rico Survival Kits. The following items are needed:

Tarps (8 x 12)

Solar Lamps

Antibacterial Wipes

Cleaning Wipes

C & D Batteries

Home Depot Gift Cards (to help with purchase of supplies)

Harbor Freight Gift Cards (to help with purchase of supplies)

Amazon Gift Cards (to help with purchase of supplies)

Canned meats (ham, spam, etc.)

Powdered Milk

Protein Bars

Solar Phone charges

Dive Hearts uses the gift cards to buy larger items such as generators, water purifiers, etc. that may be too large for any one individual to donate.

We love the arts! During the Holiday Yule Log Bonfire and Christmas Market a portion of our alcohol sale proceeds will benefit the Virginia Stage Associates. To get involved visit, vastage.org/va-stage-associates.

Our Neighbors- Dicken’s Christmas Towne is back and its bigger, brighter and bolder than ever! Opening on November 18, 2017, this is one event at Nauticus you won’t want to miss! Learn more here: dickenschristmastowne.com.

Aerial waterfront photo by Chuck Guthrie.

Norfolk Festevents, Ltd., based in Norfolk, Virginia, is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating the most dynamic urban waterfront community in America through innovative programming and imaginative uses of its historic waterfront spaces. An extensive 10-month schedule of diverse outdoor cultural events, festivals, concerts, entertainment, holiday programs, tall ship visits, sports and recreation are presented in two popular and welcoming waterfront environments; Town Point Park located in downtown Norfolk on the banks of the Elizabeth River and Ocean View Beach Park situated on the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay. Norfolk Festevents has served as the City of Norfolk’s official event marketing agency since the city’s downtown waterfront revitalization initiatives began in 1982. The organization has garnered international acclaim for its advocacy for public access to waterfronts, outstanding quality programming and development of public spaces, transforming Norfolk into one of the most progressive, fun and livable waterfront communities in the country. Residents, workers, and visitors to Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region are invited to experience all the fun and excitement of the 2018 season!

Join us along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront for a one-of-a-kind experience!